PH withdrawal from IPU gets support from House leader
House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez. INQUIRER FILE
House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez has filed a resolution supporting the withdrawal of the membership of the Philippines to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which his longtime ally, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is pushing for.
Suarez filed House Resolution No. 2270 on Tuesday, a copy of which was sent to media on Wednesday.
Suarez noted in the resolution how the Geneva-based global organization of national parliamentarians “stepped outside its boundaries with its interference in the country’s judicial processes which runs counter to the principle of State sovereignty.”
IN THE KNOW: The Inter-Parliamentary Union
On Monday, Arroyo said she would recommend to the Senate the withdrawal of the Philippines’ membership to the IPU composed of 178-member states.
READ: Arroyo to push PH withdrawal from IPU
This came after the IPU voiced its concern over the alleged human rights violations against two of the fiercest critics of the Duterte administration — opposition Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV.
READ: Parliamentarians’ union to probe cases of De Lima, Trillanes
The IPU also issued a resolution in March urging the Senate to take steps in ensuring that De Lima fulfill her duties as a duly elected lawmaker by letting her participate in the chamber’s deliberations.
READ: Philippine Senate urged, ‘act in solidarity’ with De Lima
Some opposition lawmakers from the House of Representatives slammed Arroyo’s plan with Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin branding it as a “diplomatic disaster” that “derogates” the country’s standing in international bodies. /cbb
READ: Opposition lawmakers hit planned PH pull out of IPU
